2014 Chevrolet Impala First Drive

Perhaps the first thing you need to know about this new gen-10 2014 Chevrolet Impala is that the General is so determined to rehabilitate its “Hertz-so-good” image that the unloved ninth-gen car (a Biscayne at heart, in terms of poshness) will continue to be produced in Oshawa through 2014 as the Impala Limited. Sales will be “limited” to fleet customers, freeing the new car to target retail buyers—you know, living, breathing humans instead of faceless corporate purchasing drones. The latter have been perfectly satisfied with acres of egregious plastic and wouldn’t know “sueded microfiber” from mouse fur, but the former appreciate contrast stitching and soft-touch materials, and if they’ve ever rented an Impala, might need some persuading to give this big Chevy another look.

Helping in that regard is the new car’s arresting exterior design, which drew nods of approval from the locals in southernmost California, where domestic cars are almost as exotic as taco trucks are in Detroit. The wind tunnel also approves, bequeathing a claimed 0.30 drag coefficient on the four-banger with grille shutters.

I'm really liking this. It reminds me of the big boats of the 50s and 60s! I loved the interior when I was at the car show. Great design and materials. Sad to say that the Taurus will likely lose the comparison to it, but at least I have the excuse of it being old.
__________________1997 Ford Taurus GL 216,000 miles and counting2013 Ford Taurus SEL 19,000 miles1989 Chrysler LeBaron 55,000 milesR.I.P Mercury and the Grand Marquis 1/4/11 @7:46 a.m.Ford Panther Platform: 1978-2011Broughams are meant for cruising the highway and the boulevard, not the quarter mile. Enjoying the ride, instead of getting it over with as soon as possible.

I'm kind of excited about the new Impala. GM did a really good job. The Impala would be a great car if it had something a little more powerful than the 3.6L DI like maybe the TT3.6 thats on its way but it won't have AWD so that won't happen. Maybe even if they offer the 2.0T has the mid level engine I think having that available would make this car great.

I'll be the first pessimist. I hate the steering wheel because the controls look super cheap and the shape/design of it is ugly. Also, it's going to weigh like 4,000 lbs with the V6 so even with 305 horsepower it will take 6.5 seconds or slower from 0-60.

I wish GM would make a bigger effort in weight savings. Chevys don't need to be Buick quiet if they could save 100-200 lbs per model.

A quiet car feels more expensive though. And most people aren't constantly flooring it and stop light racing. So losing a half a second to 60 might be worth it to the right customer.
___________________2010 Taurus SELFastbacks are for Louvers!

cp_09malibuV6:I'll be the first pessimist. I hate the steering wheel because the controls look super cheap and the shape/design of it is ugly. Also, it's going to weigh like 4,000 lbs with the V6 so even with 305 horsepower it will take 6.5 seconds or slower from 0-60.

I wish GM would make a bigger effort in weight savings. Chevys don't need to be Buick quiet if they could save 100-200 lbs per model.

6.5 seconds isn't that bad. It's right in line with other full sizers. The Taurus is 6.6 and the 300 is right around there too. I agree about the steering wheel, though. It's the one thing I don't like about the car.
__________________1997 Ford Taurus GL 216,000 miles and counting2013 Ford Taurus SEL 19,000 miles1989 Chrysler LeBaron 55,000 milesR.I.P Mercury and the Grand Marquis 1/4/11 @7:46 a.m.Ford Panther Platform: 1978-2011Broughams are meant for cruising the highway and the boulevard, not the quarter mile. Enjoying the ride, instead of getting it over with as soon as possible.

SuperDuper:A quiet car feels more expensive though. And most people aren't constantly flooring it and stop light racing. So losing a half a second to 60 might be worth it to the right customer.

+1 6.5 to 60 is plenty.
__________________1997 Ford Taurus GL 216,000 miles and counting2013 Ford Taurus SEL 19,000 miles1989 Chrysler LeBaron 55,000 milesR.I.P Mercury and the Grand Marquis 1/4/11 @7:46 a.m.Ford Panther Platform: 1978-2011Broughams are meant for cruising the highway and the boulevard, not the quarter mile. Enjoying the ride, instead of getting it over with as soon as possible.

The V6 is the optional engine, I would expect thrust better than a Malibu Turbo. And the other side of the coin is fuel economy. It will probably be mediocre because of the weight, the FWD Lacrosse is rated 17/27 mpg.